Freshman Kaosi Chijioke recorded his first career double-double as the University of Hartford men's basketball team concluded the 2023-24 campaign with an 89-80 loss to Commonwealth Coast Conference for University of New England Saturday inside the Chase Family Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.

Early in the second half, UNE scored 13 of 18 points to open up the first double-figure lead of the game, 61-49. The lead would grow to as much as 14 with 12 minutes remaining.

Hartford immediately responded with eight straight to pull to within six and lead to a UNE timeout. However, the Nor'easters responded out of the break to reclaim the double-digit bulge and seal the victory.

Graduate Trayon Rumley concluded his collegiate career with 15 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Henry Herman also tallied 15 points. Chijioke recorded 14 points with 10 rebounds, freshman Jaylen Brown added 13 points, and senior Beluolisah Oranye battled through an injury for 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

The first half featured 16 lead changes and five tied as the team battled back and forth. The biggest lead for either team was three points until UNE gained a five-point lead with 1:48 left in the half, and ultimately led by six at the break

INSIDE BOX & NOTES

• Freshman Stephen Akwiwu, who missed the game due to a personal issue, finished the season with a freshman record of 8.0 rebounds per game, besting the previous mark of 7.2 rebounds per game set in 1988-89 by Lamont Middleton. He finished in the Top 10 in six other categories.
• Freshman Henry Herman finished with 75 assists, good for fourth on the freshman list.
• Chijioke has pulled down double-digit rebounds seven times this season.
• A season-high five players scored in double figures.
• All five starters played at least 29 minutes.

Hartford finished the 2023-24 season 7-18 overall, 5-13 against CCC opponents.